Best photographic strobe lighting according to redditors

Honestly, I get a lot of compliments on my food photos, but I know I still have a lot to learn. In particular, I usually do a pretty rushed job because I've just finished cooking and now I want to eat! That said:

• Make sure you have lots of light, in particular natural light. My kitchen is good for a few hours during the day, but I installed a daylight bulb in the overhead fixture to make it a little more usable for photography. (Unfortunately, the daylight bulb makes the kitchen look a little too cool in real life!) I also bought a cheap photo tent and a couple of lights on Amazon for when I'm cooking at night.
  
• You want a nice, clean plate. I don't try to get fancy with arranging things — I usually just pile it high in the center of the dish — but I'll wipe down the edges of the plate if I splatter something, and maybe sprinkle on some chopped herbs or grated cheese on top of the dish to give it some visual variety.
  
• I take most of my photos pretty close up. I should really use a macro lens, but I haven't bought one yet. Instead, I use a 35mm lens that can still focus pretty close, and then I crop in even more in Photoshop. Shooting close, especially with a large aperture on the lens (which you can only really control if you have an SLR camera), helps give very selective focus, which almost always looks good in a food shot.
  
• The food I like to cook uses a lot of vegetables and is thus pretty colorful. It's always harder when you're photographing something that's just brown! This is yet another reason to eat your veggies.
  
• Lastly, for the book, everything gets a little boost in Photoshop. Most photos don't look that great out of the camera, but just auto levels (which corrects the exposure) and a +10 to the color saturation helps a lot.

I love Alienbees/Paul C Buff products, they are made just down the road and the company has great customer service, however, the one thing that always gives me hesitation with buying my own set is their lack of HSS. If you are willing to never have that feature, then you really can't go wrong with any of his stuff


White Lightning lights are built like tanks, and weigh about as much as one. I would never use a White lighting on a portable light stand because It would be like putting a small kid up on top of one. just way to much weight for me to ever be portable. But if you are mounting to a ceiling mount or wall mount light arm system, they will do you just fine.

Alien Bees are the bread and butter cheap strobe, twisty dials on the back to control the power, its like shooting with a manual basic speedlight. if you need to adjust settings you have to do it from the back of the strobe. Lightweight, great light, but the modeling light gets quite warm and will overheat if you leave it on too long. Did i say cheap too?

Digibee - Alien bee with a digital interface, LED modeling light and can be remotely controlled with the Cyber Commander meaning you don't have to walk to the light to change power settings. Think of it as a upgraded Alienbee, is the upgrade worth the price? Well that depends if you are going to be getting a Cyber Commander setup as well, if so then yes, go ahead and pay for the convince of not having to access the back of your light.

Now the one you didn't ask about the Einstein series. These are for your top of the line, I travel to multiple countries, need the top control of flash duration and all that jazz strobe. Not worth it for 90% of people imo...

Now what has kept me from buying them and what I am considering getting instead for a much more portable setup...

https://www.amazon.com/Godox-AD200-Cordless-Monolight-Speedlite/dp/B06X1FBC3F

and

https://www.amazon.com/Godox-AD600BM-Outdoor-Wireless-0-01-2-5/dp/B01B2OLY7U

Now I know what you are saying, but those are more expensive than the Digibees, and they are, but they are also wireless with built in battery packs. Add in the cost of a 250-400 lithium battery back and still having to run cords, the godox is awful tempting...

Gift One- I would love a [table top lighting kit for my photography.] (http://www.amazon.com/Table-studio-lighting-5000K-daylight/dp/B002PNEDFS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=28NLV2YGYH4YR&coliid=I2F8OZQS05MT0C) I keep having to position my lighting box Mcgyver style in order to get any lighting for it and so these would be super helpful OR [the lovely Kindle case] (http://www.amazon.com/MoKo-Paperwhite-Resolution-Lifetime-Warranty/dp/B0083OZHGW/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pC_nS_nC?ie=UTF8&colid=28NLV2YGYH4YR&coliid=ISS9TYTTUS1CU) that I've been eyeing since I got my Kindle so that I can keep it protected! (Both of these items are my my highest priority wishlist)

Gift Two- If I win gift number two c'mon...gimmie ANYTHING from my speech therapy lists so that I can become a better speech therapist for my patients! I like surprises!

I <3 you both!

Unanswered question from the previous megathread

Author /u/arguellosergio - (Permalink)

Hi Reddit,

I'm looking into buying lighting equipment to be used in crafting both, studio style portraits, and outdoor portraits/fashion shoots, but need help deciding which way to go...

I have narrowed down my possible purchases to the following:

Option A

1. Neewer Vision5 Studio Strobe I selected this because it is powered by its own battery, making it perfect for outdoor stuff.
   (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WWP2HX1/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AAWX4OXQA15SW)
   
   
2. 28" Folding Beauty Dish As I'll be buying all this during an upcoming trip to the US, getting a regular BD wouldn't be convenient for me because of transportation back to my home country.
   (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014EGV2XO/ref=o.x_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ASVCIQHJ3IEV7)
   
   
3. 55" Octabox with Grid
   (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G31O5UQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
   
   Option B
   
   
4. 32" Wescott Rapid Box Duo with Deflector Plate I chose this because it would be portable and it would allow me to mount two speedlights instead of one for more power. Also, Wescott is, I believe, a well regarded lighting company. By also getting the Deflector Plate, the octabox effectively becomes a Beauty Dish.
   (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P5FBA54/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AHANP7RK1NKEU)
   
   I am inspired by Luke Fontana's, Emily Soto's, and Joey L's styles of lighting, so more of a one/two light scenario mainly, nothing terribly elaborate. My budget is between $400-$500.
   
   What do y'all think would be the best purchase? Feel free to offer alternatives to the options I posted, though I would love to hear your comments based on the gear I've tentatively selected.
   
   
   

Nobody who has used a semi-auto assault style rifle fitted with a bump-stock would pretend that they have any accuracy. They’re little better than a garden hose provided, of course, that a garden hose sprayed lead. If you’re a sick bastard spraying indiscrinately into a crowd, or just looking to piss away money shooting abandoned cars in the Anza-Borego I guess that they have a perverse value. As far as self-defense for a disabled person I think that they're better off with a remote activated battery powered monolight. Can’t be used against you, easy to keep the remote around your neck, and ain’t nobody going to bother you with a huge white blaze of blindness in place of their eyes.

I just purchased 5 triggers, 2 stands, 2 umbrella mounts, and 2 Brollyboxes they look like the softlighter mentioned below. I spent about 145 total. I played with it earlier today these are straight out of the camera, if that isn't obvious hahaha.

Hey this is all "Free super saver shipping" because shipping sucks.

• Triggers X2
  
  
• Optical trigger just for shits n giggles
  
  
• Strobe mounts
  
  
• Brolly Boxes
  
  
• Light Stands

Instead of the SK400II, check out the Flashpoint Studio 400. It's the same light, just rebranded for Adorama's brand "Flashpoint". Their R2 wireless system is the exact same thing as Godox X wireless system.

https://www.amazon.com/Flashpoint-Studio-Monolight-Built-R2/dp/B073ZJ9Y3R/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512028370&sr=8-1&keywords=Flashpoint+400Ws

Hi Reddit,

I'm looking into buying lighting equipment to be used in crafting both, studio style portraits, and outdoor portraits/fashion shoots, but need help deciding which way to go...

I have narrowed down my possible purchases to the following:

Option A

1. Neewer Vision5 Studio Strobe I selected this because it is powered by its own battery, making it perfect for outdoor stuff.
   (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06WWP2HX1/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AAWX4OXQA15SW)
   
   
2. 28" Folding Beauty Dish As I'll be buying all this during an upcoming trip to the US, getting a regular BD wouldn't be convenient for me because of transportation back to my home country.
   (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014EGV2XO/ref=o.x_sc_act_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ASVCIQHJ3IEV7)
   
   
3. 55" Octabox with Grid
   (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00G31O5UQ/ref=ox_sc_act_title_3?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER)
   
   Option B
   
   
4. 32" Wescott Rapid Box Duo with Deflector Plate I chose this because it would be portable and it would allow me to mount two speedlights instead of one for more power. Also, Wescott is, I believe, a well regarded lighting company. By also getting the Deflector Plate, the octabox effectively becomes a Beauty Dish.
   (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00P5FBA54/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=AHANP7RK1NKEU)
   
   I am inspired by Luke Fontana's, Emily Soto's, and Joey L's styles of lighting, so more of a one/two light scenario mainly, nothing terribly elaborate. My budget is between $400-$500.
   
   What do y'all think would be the best purchase? Feel free to offer alternatives to the options I posted, though I would love to hear your comments based on the gear I've tentatively selected.
   
   
   

I use this one. I like it.

Does anyone have any recommendations for budget strobe lights? I'd prefer not to pay over $125 for one unit. This seems to be the best reviewed one I can find for the price range on amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00E5L7LO8/

Or is it worth saving up a little extra to get an alien bees 400?

I'm not sure if it matters, but I'll be mainly shooting flatlays and product shots, and I'll be using it in conjunction with a large umbrella.

I use this head. It's not absolutely fantastic, but its a good budget option. Are your legs good?

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-EI717A-Professional-Camera-Tripod/dp/B008AGMNOM/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1425696794&sr=8-5&keywords=tripod+head

And this is what I meant with rack focus

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tS_SBklnzFE

Best way would be a Cactus receiver on each flash triggered by transmitter on the camera's hotshoe. Should work for both.

If you just have one receiver, put it on the Sunpak. Or I guess you could use the Sunpak on camera. According to this site it has a low/safe trigger voltage. If you're still dubious about voltage safety, you can make it safe with something like this.

The SB-900 can then be optically slaved to the Sunpak using the SU-4 mode.

AD600 is $550

Godox AD600BM Bowens Mount 600Ws GN87 High Speed Sync Outdoor Flash Strobe Light with 2.4G Wireless X System, 8700mAh Battery to Provide 500 Full Power Flashes Recycle in 0.01-2.5 Second https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01B2OLY7U/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_JUgVCbSARWTWE

You basically have a choice, spend $50 for a Wein Safe Sync, or put that money towards a third-party flash, like a Yongnuo, and likely gain TTL ability as well.

> Neewer® 600W Photo Studio Monolight kit

Oh, I was looking at this link which is wrong I think.

This link seems like it is what OP is describing, and is a much better deal (in line with the Yongnuo speedlites).

I appreciate all the information. I didn't state my budget, you're correct. I'm willing to spend up to roughly $400-500. I'm willing to stretch that a little if it will get me significantly improved results. This is just for doing the basic product photography for my small business, and I will also have "on location" photos as well (the photos taken with this set up won't be the only photos). After reading through all the comments here, I'm now thinking about getting:

• 107" seamless white backdrop
  
  
• this kit with two strobe softboxes
  
  
• this hair light (softbox on boom)
  
  
• some sort of additional light to point at the background (I'll probably go for a cheap continuous light on this one)
  
  That will run me roughly $500.
  
  I would love to get some sort of portable light, for having some additional light for shooting on location (I'm not able to plug in anything on location), but it looks like that will run several hundred dollars, at minimum, is that right?
  

Honestly I would say just do a lot of research. I know you are looking for quick answers but so many things you are asking about are really just personal preference and depend greatly on the details of what you are doing. I'll answer a couple of questions based on what are the best bang for the buck items that those of us in the cash strapped hobby world use.

Questions that are easy to answer:

> Tripod with video camera mount (I'm a real dummy here in that I don't know what's available. Personally, I've got a SLIK PRO 700DX with panhead that's fine for stills but crummy for video work. What should I buy?)

http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-EI717A-Professional-Camera-Tripod/dp/B008AGMNOM/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1425530658&sr=8-12&keywords=fluid+head+tripod

That widely regarded to be one of the best budget fluid heads on the market. Put it on top of a $100 set of legs and you have a really good starting point. Although you may be best off just springing for a complete Manfrotto unit. Which exact one depends on how heavy the camera/lens combo you use. (And if you end up buying a rail system for follow focus ect.)

> Steadycam? (I don't know what you would call this but is there some sort of mount that makes it easier to do handheld video work with a DSLR? I don't know what exists)

http://www.ebay.com/sch/Cameras-Photo-/625/i.html?_from=R40&_nkw=FOTGA+S-450+PRO&rmvSB=true
Is in my opinion the best bang for the buck steadycam. Do some research again as a huge amount of using one is skill with balancing it and handling it.

Other thoughts: For the budget you have there is no reason to limit yourself to only using DSLRs. You really do limit yourself in a number of ways. (Overheating, audio, 30 min record times, handing) The Sony FS100 is only $2500 for the body and an absolutely great option. You can adapt almost any lens onto it. The Sony native catalog is growing.

Price History

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Hemming and hawing*

I really like my first set

Try Godox AD400 pro, It is with less power but also great, buy it for $454.3 with 30% off.

here is a 30% off code Amazon: QUMORV3M valid until 30th Sep. Only for US. Buy it from here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07G11FV5P/ref=ag_xx_cont_xx

HUGE recommend http://www.amazon.com/CowboyStudio-EI717A-Professional-Camera-Tripod/dp/B008AGMNOM?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s00

It's pretty basic.. but for the price I'm a BIG fan. Well built.. super smooth.. check out videos on youtube. This thing is $70. This is a US amazon.. but I'm sure you can find it in Canada..

Are you talking about this?

I can see it working as on camera flash. Just not very practical. With the cable and added weight on the photographer. Plus with its being about 2.5 times as powerful would be a deer with headlights effect.

Oh yea, unless you are a professional I would highly recommend against getting first party flashes.

Aside from the fact that they are incredibly expensive you get so much less value. With Godox you can buy a Flash ,a Trigger and a Strobe for that 300$ ,they also don't offer anything like the universal 2.4ghz wireless radio trigger system Godox has.

Flash

Trigger

Strobe

And with the above you'd still be under 300$. Add a umbrella and stand and you'd end up around 300$ for a 2 light setup with a Speedlight and Studio strobe that all work on the same 2.4ghz wireless system. Meaning you can group them ,trigger them remotely, adjust everything remotely on the trigger.

Really the price difference is so astronomical it's difficult to recommend anything else.

​

Here are some videos about the system.

Hello, I am a high school senior who has booked three weddings for 2018 and I really want to step my reception lighting up from just one speedlite. I was thinking of getting two AD200's and set them up at 45 degree angles facing the dance floor.

https://www.amazon.com/Godox-AD200-Cordless-Monolight-Speedlite/dp/B06X1FBC3F/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1521424897&sr=8-3&keywords=ad200

What would I use as a fill light? Would I use this adapter and then put a speedlite on top of that for a fill?
https://www.amazon.com/Godox-Wireless-Single-Transmitter-Camera/dp/B01E58Z9ZS/ref=sr_1_3?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1521424946&sr=1-3&keywords=godox+trigger+canon

Thank you for helping me. I just am unaware of how the best way to shoot a reception is.

Hey all, I'm looking at getting started with monolights for doing portraits (both indoor and outdoor) and whatnot. I really want to go with a traiditonal 3 point lighting setup, and I've been looking at this Neewer kit to get me started and practicing. I like that it has the lights, stands, and modifiers all together for what seems like a pretty reasonable price for the kit. I'm not a pro and at most I might do some freelancing or stuff for friends, so I can't justify higher level, expensive heads right now.

However, there's the issue of power for outdoor stuff. I could make my own battery packs easily enough (I'm fairly handy and pairing an inverter and a battery is simple enough), but I don't actually know how much battery I'd need for all three lights, and the way power draw works on strobes isn't super clear to me (electronics/electrical stuff was never my strongest area in my engineering coursework). Seems like I could probably do a single pack for less than $60 if I shopped around fairly carefully.

I'd love to be able to just have a single, three-outlet pack, and I don't see myself being out in the field long enough to need to be able to do hundreds of shots or anything like that any time soon (I could always just hook up multiple 12v batteries in parallel to give me more pops, anyway), but most of the packs I've seen that aren't insanely expensive (Vagabond Mini, for example) are just two; sure, easy enough to put a power splitter on an outlet, but I don't know if the thing would even produce enough power to support that, or if anything I built with, say, a 300w pure sine inverter would, either.

Obviously just having battery powered heads would make life much simpler, but even the cheapest battery powered heads I'm aware of -- Neewer's Vision 4 monolights -- would end up being around $600 for a similar kit. And of course it's complicated by the fact that I'm not even certain 300w heads would be enough for outdoors.

I could realistically do about $500 for lights + power (I could stretch that up to $600 if necessary), so I have some flexibility, but there's soooo much out there that I'm a bit overwhelmed. I'd greatly appreciate any help.

Edit: Just to note, for now I'm not worried about TTL or HSS.

As much as I'd love the Godox or Xplor, they really aren't in the budget. What about this one instead? https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0788MG84J/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_4m04BbMKZKBP3

Still Neewer, but it's a Bowens mount at least

you mean this one:
http://www.amazon.com/Cowboystudio-SYK-3-Optical-Slave-Trigger/dp/B00357PCVC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412566049&sr=8-1&keywords=slave+trigger